Arrests linked to tribe selling 'membership'

Tuesday, August 14, 2007  

Two Mexican nationals have been arrested in an ongoing probe into the sale of tribal "membership" to immigrants.

U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren of Kansas announced the arrests of Angel Zamora, 38, and Eduviges del Carmen Zamora, 44, on immigration-related offenses. "Purchasing a membership in an Indian tribe is not a path to U.S. citizenship," he said, the Associated Press reported.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office said the Kaweah Indian Nation is part of the investigation. The unrecognized group has been selling membership cards to Mexican nationals, telling them it can lead to U.S. citizenship.

Complaints about the practice have been made in Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, California, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Authorities in Nebraska are said to be investigating.

Get the Story:
2 arrested in immigration probe linked to unrecognized tribe (AP 8/13)

Fake tribe offers membership to Mexican nationals (8/10)